NIV Bible for Men

The “NIV Bible for Men” is a pretty good bible. I don’t think that you are going to find anything profound in the study noted and devotionals if you are a student of the bible. This bible is geared to men 20-35 years of age and I think that it does a good job of hitting that dynamic. The topics covered in the studies are marriage, sex, pornography, money, selfishness, things that men typically have to deal with in there life. I see this Bible being great for a new or “younger” Christian with in the age group or at least an older teen. Over all the studies are good and thoughtful and the NIV is a very trusted text and remains the standard. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Man Enough

How does one define himself as a man? This is a question that has attempted to be answered by countless people over the coarse of modern history. To often in the church we are faced with a compelling counter cultural view of manhood. We are faced with images daily that scream “manhhood”, images like sport stars, models, beard wearing chest thumping man’s men and completely overly macho. However when we compare these images with that of Christ we run into some issues. Yes Christ was a carpenter and probably knew his way around tools but to often in Church we try to fit him into what society says is a man, instead of really looking at how He defines manhood. In “Man Enough” Nate Pyle unapologetically does just that. He rips back the cover of societies expectations of men and lay bare the reality that the man we are to be like is in fact soft, kind, serving and full of grace. Not exactly the Braveheart warrior that we hoped for, but rather the fighter this world needs. The fighter that is focused on what is really important for the kingdom. “If men are to fight, then we need to be clear what it is we fight for. Peace. Reconciliation. Grace. Justice. But let’s be clear: We are mad not for conflict but for action” (Man Enough, p. 76). This quote really caught me and probably is one of the best from the book. We in the Church have for to long been trying to “man-up” the gospel that we have missed again the fact that we are ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). We are not fighters in the worldly sense we are called to action on the Godly sense and Nate Pyle does probably the best job of pointing that out that I have ever read. Being a father of boys this book calls to me to be more like Christ and less like “The man” that society feeds them. I believe that also women will benefit from reading this book too, while I think his intended audience was men, Pyle has written a great work on identifying yourself in Christ no matter who you are now.

NIV Zondervan Study Bible

Let me start by saying that the NIV Zondervan Study Bible is not a bible that you will want to haul back and forth to church with you. Nearly 300 pages and close to 5 pounds it will be better used at you desk at home. That being said I absolutely love this study bible. I have reviewed and used several study bibles over the years and this one has really set a new standard. The commentary is probably the most exhaustive of any I have seen and the typeface is beautiful and very easy to read. This bible is full of maps, timelines and other useful tools that are all presented in full color. Several people have commented on the actual commentary contained in the book, I found it to be fair to the text I did not agree with everything I read but that is to be expected. The book introductions are the best I’ve read of any study bible, also the theological articles are concise and well written. I have and will continue to use this bible for my study bible at home simply, again because the size does not lend itself to be carried easily. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Looney Experiment

The Looney Experiment by Luke Reynolds is wonderfully crafted and a pure joy to read. You enter the mind of Atticus, a middle school student who has a very active imagination that seems to take over his mind when it wants and not always at the ideal times. Dealing with some issues that so many middle-schoolers face, bullies, the cute girl and a Dad who left this book is a relevant work that was enjoyable to read. Atticus encounters Mr Looney a sub in his English class. Through Looney’s teaching Atticus finds his own way to navigate the problems he faces. This book will be great for any middle-school aged kid because they are all going to face one or more of these issues. I loved that Atticus’ imagination was a character unto itself in this book. As light hearted and fun to read this book also doesn’t stray fro dealing with the issues its character faces. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

NIV Dad's Study Bible

Okay so I am probably like most fathers out there who seek to be Godly men and lead there family in the right way according to scripture. I am probably also like most fathers out their that feel as though we are failing miserably at this task. I received the NIV Dad's Devotional Bible and started looking though it and spent a couple weeks going through several of the devotionals that it has to offer. I think this book is good, it is not, however an exegetical look at how to be a biblical father. It is a very good guide to help find those biblical principles that are needed to guide you children and family through this life. The answers are not found in the devotionals, as it should be. The devotionals give you some real world examples of how a particular scripture may apply. Some of the devotionals are great and some are a little hooky but that is the case for pretty much any devotional book. I think that one of the nice features of this bible is that it is the NIV text in full so you can use it as your everyday study as well as your going to church bible. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Fellowship of Differents

“Jesus and the apostles taught that you were welcome because the church welcomed all to the table”. This quote from Scot McKnight’s book “A Fellowship of Differents” is the one that grabbed and held on to me through out all the pages. How often do I look around my church and see, well me. Honestly take a look around next time your at church and see how much you see you sitting a few rows up and a few rows behind you. If you were to sit in a church service in the 1st century you would see a very different picture. You would see slaves, masters, prostitutes, teachers of the law and tentmakers all worshiping together. In his book McKnight makes the point very well that the church should be a place where all are welcome from the rich to the homeless simple because Jesus taught us that that is the way heaven is. I love the table language throughout his book and the simple but straight forward way he spurs us on to celebrate the differences we have that are all okay with the one we serve. The church should be the best place for the different to come and be. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

What Keeps You Up at Night

Through some health challenges that I have faced over the past few years I have been on a journey to reinvent myself and find my worth in the new normal that I face. This is really what keeps me up at night, the wondering what am I to do since normal everyday 9-5 Jobs may not be a way for me to make it anymore. When I had the chance to read “What keeps you up at night” by Pete Wilson I was expecting the typical self help pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get it done message. What I found was a book that instead turned the focus to discover what it is that God is doing. Wilson does a great job of not necessarily answering the questions that you have but rather adjusting the focus of the question to see how we must trust in God when facing these decisions. Often I think God is just wanting us to do something it is us that paralyze ourselves in fear. This book will help you step out in faith knowing that God conquers your fear and holds you. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rise

In “Rise” rapper Trip Lee talks about getting in the game and not sitting on the sideline. Written in a plain easy to understand way this book is not preachy or overly theological I believe this book fits into a larger demographic. Drawing from his life the chances to rise are definitely real and not presented in a head in the clouds way. This book definitely will encourage and push you to get off the bench and rise to be what God wants you to be. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Same Kind of Different As Me

When I approached this book I really did not know what to expect. I had read several reviews and thought it look good and offered a compelling true story that I could really get into. In Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore there is a compelling story of two very unlikely men becoming friends. Ron, an Art Dealer and Denver a modern day slave share how there lives intersected and grew together thru the love of the underprivileged that Ron’s wife Deborah had. While the story is heartwarming, thought provoking and tear jerking at times I had a hard time really connecting with this book. For me I felt this book could have been written in the third person and had a little bit more impact. The narration between Ron and Denver in different chapters pulled away from the story. Had it been written in a third person format the narrator could have bridged those holes and allowed the story to flow better. That being said I think this book is worth a read and will encourage you to look people outside of your typical social circle differently and with hope and potential rather than fear and doubt. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

How to survive middle school and monster bots

How to Survive Middle School and Monster Bots is a fun and entertaining book that teaches good solid principles that parents can trust. The story is engaging and holds the attention of boys, which we all know can be difficult. This is Ron Bates second journey into the world of middle school boys and the difficulties they can face. This story centers around a science genius named Howard, he gets in a rivalry over a schools science project of building robots. As the story progresses Howard must choose the right path. He chooses a short cut and it causes several problems that he must resolve. Along the way he learns the value of hard work, friendship and the fact that every one is unique and special. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”